One of the biggest challenges to going on vacation — whether it’s to Mexico, Europe, or even just across state lines — is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The good habits of eating and exercise that we work so hard on at home become difficult when faced with a change of schedule, lots of delicious food and alcohol, and a desire to do nothing more than spend the day soaking in the sun on the beach.

When you book a Mexico vacation rental at Casa de la Sirena, we make it easy to enjoy your getaway without losing sight of the bigger picture of your health and fitness levels. In fact, with a little advance planning, you can incorporate some of the higher-intensity activities we have here into your daily plans so that you can exercise without ever feeling like you’re exercising.

Here are a few tips for staying on track during your vacation:

Begin and/or end your day with a walk on the beach. The sunsets and sunrises here are spectacular, and there is something so calming about taking advantage of the crash of the waves as the sun and moon trade places. For a real workout, you might even consider taking a run along the expansive stretch of our private beach. Running in the sand is a tough workout even for the hardiest athletes.

Take advantage of local sports. In Troncones, activities like swimming, birdwatching, surfing, horseback riding, and hiking are all common among both tourists and residents. Now is a great time to branch out and try an activity you may not have considered before. It might even help to plan one of these each day, leaving the rest of the time to do your traditional lounging and hammock activities.

Rent our yoga facilities. Casa de la Sirena is one of the only Mexico vacation resorts that offers a beachside yoga studio that you or a group of visitors can rent. You do need to come prepared with your own instructor, but taking a yoga or pilates retreat is a great way to enjoy a new kind of vacation that’s all about your health and well being.

Cook and eat locally. Troncones is a traditional fishing village, and the residents here tend to rely on a diet that is full of fresh fruits and vegetables and fish right out of the ocean. When you book a vacation villa, you have a fully-equipped kitchenette and barbeque right in your accommodations. You can take advantage of the great local produce or eat out in a restaurant that taps into the economy and farms of the area.

Staying healthy on vacation doesn’t have to be a chore. Although it might be hard to say no to one more helping of arroz con pollo, or to get up early to take advantage of the cooler weather for your early morning run along the beach, you’ll feel a lot better knowing that you haven’t indulged yourself to an unhealthy level.

And if you do slip and enjoy one too many margaritas, don’t worry too much about it. A Mexico vacation resort like this one is meant to be enjoyed, regardless of how much time you’re able to devote to exercise and diet.